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Drink driving

DRINK DRIVING

In 2010, 58 people were killed in drink-drive related crashes and 858 were seriously injured  in NSW.
 
Six of them were injured in Auburn area.
 

Alcohol is a depressant which slows down the functioning of the brain. It also causes loss of balance, reduces the ability to judge speed and distance, impairs reactions and the ability to make decisions, and increases confidence and aggression.

Throw driving into the mix and it's a deadly combination.

​Every police car is a mobile RBTDrinking and your blood alcohol content

  • The legal blood alcohol limit is under 0.5 blood alcohol content
  • Even if you are under the legal blood alcohol limit, just a small amount of alcohol in your system can reduce your ability to drive. If you are just over the limit, you double the risk of being involved in an accident. At double the legal limit, you are 7 times more likely to be involved in a crash.

One standard drink is a standard measure of 10mg of alcohol. However, people are not standard and their bodies process alcohol in different ways.

Level of health and fitness, weight and size can also affect your ability to eliminate alcohol. Even something like having a cold can affect the way your body processes alcohol.
 
Measuring the alcohol by the glass size or bottle size is not always an accurate measure of a standard drink. And what about the alcohol people consume and forget to add to their total?
 
The best way to avoid being over the legal limit is not to consume any alcohol if you are going to drive. Plan for someone else to take you home.
 
If you are watching what you drink, space out the alcoholic drinks and have non alcoholic drinks between those containing alcohol. Don’t let anyone top up your glass, and don’t be afraid to ask the bar staff for a half measure of wine or spirits
 
Many hotels, clubs and restaurants are now providing breath testers which help you understand your blood alcohol concentration. These devices are the best method available to check whether you are under the legal limit, as it is more precise than just counting your drinks. However, these devices are a guide only and the readings given are not accepted by Police or the Courts. Your blood alcohol level can also rise for up to an hour after your last drink, so this must also be taken into consideration when testing yourself.   

Cold showers and coffee won't help

Drink safeContrary to popular belief, cold showers and coffee will have no effect on lowering your blood alcohol level, and if you have drunk a lot of alcohol in an evening, you may still be over the limit the next day.
 
Don’t risk your life and the life of others.
 
Remember: Drink driving is a crime! 

Tips for party goers

  • Plan ahead and decide how many drinks you will have.
  • If you intend to have a few drinks, plan to catch a cab or a lift with someone who has not been drinking - or stay the night!
  • Finish each drink before you have another - avoid top-ups.
  • Only time will sober you up. Food, coffee, a cold shower, fresh air or vomiting won't.
  • Alternate alcoholic and non (or low) alcohol drinks.
  • Eat before and while you drink. Avoid salty foods.
  • Remember that after a big night you can still have alcohol in your system, so don't be in a rush to get behind the wheel. Chances are, you will still be over the limit.
  • Better still if you plan to have a few drinks, don't drive.

Tips for party hosts

  • When catering, make sure you have plenty of non-alcohol and low alcohol drinks or non-alcoholic cocktails available.
  • Have a variety of foods available. Don't just have salty foods available, as this makes people thirsty.
  • Don't top up people's glasses with alcoholic drinks - let them finish their drink and ask for a refill.
  • If you think someone has had too much to drink, arrange a lift home for them with someone who hasn't been drinking, call them a cab, or let them stay for the night.
  • Encourage people to plan ahead. Ask them if they intend to have a few drinks, how they are going to get home if they don't intend to stay the night. Ask them how much they will drink, whether they plan on driving, or whether they will stay the night.
  • Try to organise a driver who will not drink to drive guests home.
  • Be a creative host and provide entertainment - this will reduce the amount of time to consume alcohol.
  • Don't turn your night out into a nightmare - leave the car at home, and if you can't use public transport, designate a non-drinking driver. Remember that you could still be over the limit in the morning after a good night out. You can't calculate your own drink/drive limit and the only safe way is not to drink and drive.
For more information contact Auburn City Council's Road Safety Officer rso@auburn.nsw.gov.au
 
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